Specialized College Programs
In addition to the previously mentioned summer college programs, there are also specialized college programs to help students on the spectrum through college. If this is something that interests you, to save you the trouble of searching, here those that I could find. Programs are ranked in no particular order, and the summaries are adapted directly from the programs' own websites.
1. Marshall University's College Program for Students with Asperger’s Syndrome
The College Program exists to offer appropriate academic and social supports to individuals with autism spectrum disorders, so that they may have a successful college experience and learn skills necessary to enter a competitive workforce. The CPSAS provides support to students as they live an otherwise typical college lifestyle. Students attend regular classes, reside in typical dorms and use the resources available to them within the university community. Students receiving full-time supports from the College Program can expect to meet regularly and often with staff to carry out the strategies of support. Although services are individualized, they generally are fit into three categories of support: academic, social and independent living. Students apply separately to Marshall University and the CPSAS program.
2. Western Kentucky University: Kelly Autism Program (KAP)
The KAP circle of support provides three major areas of supports: private
room, study tables and mentoring. We recognize your need for space and will provide a single room. Every attempt is made to assign you to a residence hall that has a quiet living environment. As part of KAP, your rate is for double occupancy but you will be assigned a single room. KAP also provides mandatory study tables for our participants four days a week for three hours at a time. During this time we work on executive functioning skills (organization, prioritizing work, etc) as well as tutoring. Study table staff consists of undergraduate and graduate students from WKU who have been trained in using “Evidence Based Practices” for people diagnosed with ASD. Any interested person needs to first apply to and be admitted
to Western Kentucky University.
3. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga: MoSAIC
MoSAIC is our newest program offered to students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
(ASD). MoSAIC is a yearlong course in which students develop executive functioning and social skills. Students meet weekly as a class to learn various social strategies and study about the impact that Autism Spectrum Disorders have on them individually. In addition, students meet twice weekly with a Life Coach. The life coach and student partner to develop short term goals for each week. This is also a time for students to work through any issues that arise throughout the week. Finally, students meet weekly with a peer mentor to apply social strategies in a real world setting.
4. Rutgers University: College Support Program for Students on the Autism Spectrum
The College Support Program (CSP) offers individualized support for Rutgers University students who are on the Autism Spectrum. Students who have met the University’s admission requirements can apply for separate admission into the CSP. The program is designed to be a bridge for students on the autism spectrum as
they learn to identify and access the community and support services of the university. Along with many services, the CSP offers the following:
- A coordinator who meets with the student a minimum of once per week
- Assistance with the identification of goals to address academic, organizational, social and life skills
- Strategies to meet the identified goals
- Trained peer mentors
- Optional social events
- Parent workshops
- Referrals/ follow up with academic and support services
- Referrals for individual psychotherapy or counseling when requested
5. Drexel University: Autism Support Program
The Drexel Autism Support Program (DASP) offers confidential autism-focused support services to matriculated Drexel students. DASP is constructed to encourage students on the autistic spectrum seeking a postsecondary education. Our mission is to promote success and improve quality of life among Drexel students with autism and related disorders by providing services such as Individual Peer Mentoring, and Self-Advocacy and Social Skills (SASS) Workshops. Drexel University believes that providing continuous innovative training and technical support to faculty, administrators, staff, and peer mentors, will better equip them in making the college experience more accessible to students with autism.
6. University of Alabama Autism Spectrum Disorders College Transition and Support
(UA-ACTS)
The UA-ACTS program, operated through The University of Alabama Autism Spectrum Disorders Clinic, provides individualized services to help students develop appropriate skills for self advocacy, academics, daily living, and social interactions that will contribute to their success as independent adults. UA-ACTS provides support for the transition into a traditional university campus and toward achieving goals for the future. The program provides each UA-ACTS student with a therapist-mentor who meets approximately three times weekly with the student to provide services in academics, social skills, and daily living. Students must meet admissions requirements and be admitted to the University of Alabama on their own merit.
7. University of Connecticut: Strategic Education for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (SEAD) Program
The SEAD program focuses on assisting students on the autism spectrum with understanding, achieving and developing a pathway to success. Participants in the program will meet with a Graduate Assistant on a weekly basis to assist in building social and interpersonal skills, understanding how their disability can affect their transition to college, and to provide campus support while promoting autonomy of each student. The main goal of this program is to provide the support needed to the student and their family in order to facilitate a smooth transition to the postsecondary environment. In accomplishing this goal, students will also learn more about themselves, their disability, and how to be autonomous individuals.
1. Marshall University's College Program for Students with Asperger’s Syndrome
The College Program exists to offer appropriate academic and social supports to individuals with autism spectrum disorders, so that they may have a successful college experience and learn skills necessary to enter a competitive workforce. The CPSAS provides support to students as they live an otherwise typical college lifestyle. Students attend regular classes, reside in typical dorms and use the resources available to them within the university community. Students receiving full-time supports from the College Program can expect to meet regularly and often with staff to carry out the strategies of support. Although services are individualized, they generally are fit into three categories of support: academic, social and independent living. Students apply separately to Marshall University and the CPSAS program.
2. Western Kentucky University: Kelly Autism Program (KAP)
The KAP circle of support provides three major areas of supports: private
room, study tables and mentoring. We recognize your need for space and will provide a single room. Every attempt is made to assign you to a residence hall that has a quiet living environment. As part of KAP, your rate is for double occupancy but you will be assigned a single room. KAP also provides mandatory study tables for our participants four days a week for three hours at a time. During this time we work on executive functioning skills (organization, prioritizing work, etc) as well as tutoring. Study table staff consists of undergraduate and graduate students from WKU who have been trained in using “Evidence Based Practices” for people diagnosed with ASD. Any interested person needs to first apply to and be admitted
to Western Kentucky University.
3. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga: MoSAIC
MoSAIC is our newest program offered to students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
(ASD). MoSAIC is a yearlong course in which students develop executive functioning and social skills. Students meet weekly as a class to learn various social strategies and study about the impact that Autism Spectrum Disorders have on them individually. In addition, students meet twice weekly with a Life Coach. The life coach and student partner to develop short term goals for each week. This is also a time for students to work through any issues that arise throughout the week. Finally, students meet weekly with a peer mentor to apply social strategies in a real world setting.
4. Rutgers University: College Support Program for Students on the Autism Spectrum
The College Support Program (CSP) offers individualized support for Rutgers University students who are on the Autism Spectrum. Students who have met the University’s admission requirements can apply for separate admission into the CSP. The program is designed to be a bridge for students on the autism spectrum as
they learn to identify and access the community and support services of the university. Along with many services, the CSP offers the following:
- A coordinator who meets with the student a minimum of once per week
- Assistance with the identification of goals to address academic, organizational, social and life skills
- Strategies to meet the identified goals
- Trained peer mentors
- Optional social events
- Parent workshops
- Referrals/ follow up with academic and support services
- Referrals for individual psychotherapy or counseling when requested
5. Drexel University: Autism Support Program
The Drexel Autism Support Program (DASP) offers confidential autism-focused support services to matriculated Drexel students. DASP is constructed to encourage students on the autistic spectrum seeking a postsecondary education. Our mission is to promote success and improve quality of life among Drexel students with autism and related disorders by providing services such as Individual Peer Mentoring, and Self-Advocacy and Social Skills (SASS) Workshops. Drexel University believes that providing continuous innovative training and technical support to faculty, administrators, staff, and peer mentors, will better equip them in making the college experience more accessible to students with autism.
6. University of Alabama Autism Spectrum Disorders College Transition and Support
(UA-ACTS)
The UA-ACTS program, operated through The University of Alabama Autism Spectrum Disorders Clinic, provides individualized services to help students develop appropriate skills for self advocacy, academics, daily living, and social interactions that will contribute to their success as independent adults. UA-ACTS provides support for the transition into a traditional university campus and toward achieving goals for the future. The program provides each UA-ACTS student with a therapist-mentor who meets approximately three times weekly with the student to provide services in academics, social skills, and daily living. Students must meet admissions requirements and be admitted to the University of Alabama on their own merit.
7. University of Connecticut: Strategic Education for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (SEAD) Program
The SEAD program focuses on assisting students on the autism spectrum with understanding, achieving and developing a pathway to success. Participants in the program will meet with a Graduate Assistant on a weekly basis to assist in building social and interpersonal skills, understanding how their disability can affect their transition to college, and to provide campus support while promoting autonomy of each student. The main goal of this program is to provide the support needed to the student and their family in order to facilitate a smooth transition to the postsecondary environment. In accomplishing this goal, students will also learn more about themselves, their disability, and how to be autonomous individuals.
Additional Resources
In addition, Spectrum U has a fantastic collection of universities and the sorts of resources they offer for people on the spectrum hosted on their website. I highly recommend you check it out and see if any universities/colleges that you're considering are on the list!
In addition, Spectrum U has a fantastic collection of universities and the sorts of resources they offer for people on the spectrum hosted on their website. I highly recommend you check it out and see if any universities/colleges that you're considering are on the list!
Give Your Input!
As you may have noticed, the programs listed are all in the United States, specifically in the Eastern half of the US. That's because that was all I personally could find. However, if you know of other programs specifically for helping with ASD in college whether they be in the US or elsewhere in the world at large, please Contact Me and share them with other readers!
As you may have noticed, the programs listed are all in the United States, specifically in the Eastern half of the US. That's because that was all I personally could find. However, if you know of other programs specifically for helping with ASD in college whether they be in the US or elsewhere in the world at large, please Contact Me and share them with other readers!